The Israeli Journal of Aquaculture - Bamidgeh, IIC:63.2011.545, 7 pages
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Comparison of Growth in Pike-Perch (Sander lucioperca) and Hybrids of Pike-Perch (S. lucioperca) × Volga Pike- Perch (S. volgensis)
T. Müller1*, M. Bódis2, B. Urbányi1, M. Bercsényi2
1 Department of Aquaculture, Institute of Environmental and Landscape Management, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Szent István University, Gödöllő, H-2103 Páter Károly u.1, Hungary
2 Georgikon Faculty, Pannon University, Keszthely, H-8360 Deák F. u.16, Hungary
(Received 1.2.10, Accepted 6.3.10)
Key words: Sander lucioperca, Sander volgensis, S. lucioperca x S. volgensis hybrids, comparative growth
Abstract Growth of intensively cultured pike-perch Sander lucioperca (L.) and hybrids of pike-perch females × Volga pike-perch (S. volgensis Gmelin, 1789) males (1.75 g) were compared in a 35-day experiment. Fish were sorted into three groups (50 fish/aquarium): S. lucioperca grown separately (Group P), hybrids grown separately (Group H), and a mixed group of 25 S. lucioperca (Group Mp) grown together with 25 hybrids (Group Mh). The stocking density was 0.44 g/l. Final body weights were 6.83 g, 6.54 g, 5.17 g, and 4.84 g, and specific growth rates were 3.9%/day, 3.75%/day, 3.1%/day, and 2.89%/day, for groups Mp, P, Mh, and H, respectively. The weight, length, and specific growth rates of the S. lucioperca were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the hybrids, whether grown separately or together. The feed conversion rate of the hybrids grown separately was significantly higher (1.28 g/g) than all other groups. Further investigation is needed to study the growth performance of larger hybrids, to compare the hybrid with S. volgensis, and to investigate the possibility of cross hybridization.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +36-28-522000/1659, fax: +36-28-410804, e-mail: [email protected]
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Introduction Inter-specific hybrids are produced to increase growth rate, combine desirable traits of two species, reduce unwanted reproduction by raising sterile or monosex stocks, take advantage of sexual dimorphism, increase harvestability, and increase environmental tolerance (Bartley et al., 2000). Species of the genus Sander have been hybred. Thanks to its better growth and lower sensitivity to environmental conditions (Siegwarth and Summerfelt, 1990), the hybrid saugeye (Sander vitreus × S. canadensis) is widely used in North American aquaculture and is stocked in natural waters for angling proposes (Tew et al., 2006) and as a predator to reduce recruitment and improve growth and size structure of overabundant crappie (Pomoxis spp.) populations (Galinat et al., 2002). Pike-perch (S. lucioperca) is one of the most valuable freshwater carnivorous fishes in Europe, not only as a food fish but also as a sport fish (Schulz, et al., 2007). Rearing pike-perch on formulated feed is one way to intensify its production (Molnár et al., 2004, 2007; Zakęś et al., 2006; Kestemont et al., 2007; Schulz et al., 2007). Volga pike-perch, S. volgensis (Gmelin, 1789), belongs to the same genus as S. lucioperca but its growth in nature is slower; it rarely exceeds 0.5 kg, and it is less sensitive to environmental conditions. Sander volgensis can be found in water containing low levels of dissolved oxygen (Pintér, 2002). Early attempts to feed dry feed to S. volgensis suggest that its intensive rearing is possible (Bercsényi et al., 2001; Molnár et al., 2006). The hybridization of S. lucioperca and S. volgensis in nature is rare (Müller et al., 2010), probably because of the differences in their reproductive ethology (Balon et al., 1977). The crossing of S. lucioperca females × S. volgensis males can be induced in the laboratory with common propagation practices; likewise, parental species can be bred in the laboratory (Müller et al., 2004). The aim of our work was to compare juvenile growth of S. lucioperca and a hybrid of the two species under laboratory conditions.
Materials and Methods It is impossible to make a simultaneous three-way comparison between S. lucioperca, S. volgensis, and their hybrid because the reproduction and growth of S. lucioperca and S. volgensis significantly differ. Newly hatched larvae of S. lucioperca (5.04±0.05 mm, Ostaszewska, 2005) are larger than those of S. volgensis (3.25±0.17 mm, Müller et al., 2009) and the growth rate and final size of S. lucioperca in natural waters exceed those of S. volgensis. In Lake Balaton, Hungary, S. lucioperca grows to 145 mm during the first year (Bíró et al., 1998), while S. volgensis require more than two years to reach the same size (Specziár and Bíró, 2003). Therefore S. volgensis must be spawned one or two months earlier than S. lucioperca to obtain fingerlings of 3-4 cm that can be weaned from live food to formulated feed and to start a comparative experiment. Fish. Larvae of S. lucioperca, originated from artificial propagation, were stocked in the fish farm of Makkos & Társa Kft. in Fonyód, Hungary. Pond- nursed juveniles were raised under natural conditions with zooplankton in Comparison of the growth of pike-perch and its hybrid 3 monoculture, harvested at 3-4 cm, and transported to the Fish Laboratory of Pannon University, Georgikon Faculty of Agriculture, for acclimation to artificial conditions and weaning to dry feed. Broodstock for hybridization originated from Aranyponty Zrt., a commercial fish farm in Sáregres-Rétimajor, Hungary (S. lucioperca), and from natural catches in Lake Balaton in Balatoni Halászati Zrt., Siófok, Hungary (S. volgensis). The parent stock was acclimatized for one month before breeding. Spawning of female S. lucioperca was induced by gradually increasing the temperature in the tanks from 5°C to 14°C during 8 days and hormonal treatment with 250 IU human chorion gonadotropin (hCG) and 6 mg carp pituitary per fish on day 4 plus 500 IU hCG per fish on day 5. Males of both Sander species were injected with a single dose of 4 mg dry carp pituitary extract per kg body weight 24 h before milt stripping. Eggs of S. lucioperca were fertilized by S. volgensis milt and incubated in a Zuger jar. Hybrid fry were grown exclusively on live food, first Paramecium and then Artemia and Chironomus larvae, for two months until they reached 3-4 cm body length. At 3-4 cm, hybrid and S. lucioperca juveniles were weaned for two weeks onto Nutra 2.0, an extruded crumbled trout starter, with Chironomus larvae as a live food supplement. The weaned fish were reared in a recirculation unit. When the juveniles reached an average body weight of 1.75 g, three triplicate groups were formed. The first contained S. lucioperca juveniles (50 per aquarium), the second group contained hybrids (50 per aquarium), and the third contained 25 S. lucioperca juveniles plus 25 hybrids (per aquarium). In the third (mixed) group, hybrids were distinguished from S. lucioperca by their striped pattern and the size of their canine teeth (Specziár et al., 2009). At that time the hybrid juveniles were 101 days old and the S. lucioperca juveniles were 78 days old. The fish were stocked in 400-l aquaria with a recirculation system and flow rate of 4 l/min. The aquaria were separated by an adjustable screen into two sections of 200 l for better feed acceptance, easier observation, and reduced daily maintenance (Fig. 1). Fish were stocked at 50 fish per aquarium (0.44 g/l). Light in the culture room fluctuated 10-50 lux. Except for the front, the walls of the aquaria were covered with gray plastic sheets to reduce light. Feeding. The fish were fed Nutra 0 extruded crumbled trout starter for three weeks, followed by Classic Marine 1st P marine grower pellets for two weeks. Both feeds were manufactured by Hendrix Spa, Nutreco, Italy (Table 1). Feed was offered from automatic belt feeders for Fig. 1. Experimental aquarium with adjustable 12 h daily, 8:00-20:00. The screen.
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Table 1. Proximate composition of compound daily feeding rate was 3% of the feeds (according to manufacturer). body weight, revised weekly. Feed Water quality. Water temper- Classic Nutra 2.0 Nutra 0 ature was maintained at 22.3± Marine 0.5°C and dissolved oxygen at Particle size (mm) 0.7-1.1 1.0-1.7 1.7 7.2±0.5 mg/l. Both parameters Crude protein (%) 54 54 50 were monitored daily. Mean Crude fat (%) 18 18 12 Crude ash (%) 10 10 10.5 values±SD were 7.8±0.4 pH, Crude fiber (%) 0.6 0.6 1.5 0.022±0.01 mg/l nitrite, 27.65± Digestible energy (MJ/kg) 19.4 19.4 16.5 0.99 mg/l nitrate, 0.0425± 0.0065 mg/l ammonium, and 1.58±0.2 mg/l phosphate, mea-sured on days 1, 15, and 35. Data collection and statistical analysis. Standard body length (to 1 mm) and body weight (to 0.1 g) of all fish in each group were recorded every week and the following parameters were calculated: condition factor (K) as 100 × 3 wt/(lt) , where wt and lt are the body length and weight at time t; specific growth rate (SGR) as 100 × (lnwt - lnw0)/t, where w0 is the initial weight and t is the day of the observation; and feed conversion rate (FCR) as F/(Wt - W0) where F is the total feed intake (dry weight). Statistical analyses were carried out with SPSS 7.5 for Windows (1996). One-way ANOVA with Tukey’s test was used to compare growth rates, SGR, and FCR. Differences were considered significant when p<0.05.
Results Growth rates significantly differed from the first week of the trial (Fig. 2). The final body weights of S. lucioperca ranged 4.2-11.6 g when raised separately and 4.3-10 g when raised together with hybrids; final weights of hybrids ranged 3-6.9 g when raised separately and 3.6-8 g when raised together with S. lucioperca. In both S. lucioperca and the hybrids, the average body weight was higher when they were raised together than when they were raised separately although the differences were not significant (Table 2). Growth performance was significantly lower in the hybrids than in the S. lucioperca. There was no mortality during the experiment.
Discussion The objective of the present study was to compare growth of the hybrid S. lucioperca × S. volgensis with that of S. lucioperca. While S. lucioperca grows better than S. volgensis, it is one of the most sensitive fish species. The aim of the Fig. 2. Growth of Sander lucioperca hybridization was to combine the (Group P) and hybrid S. lucioperca × S. favorable features of both species volgensis (Group H) grown separately, and and see if the hybrid shows heterosis S. lucioperca (Group Mp) and hybrids in some traits. (Group Mh) grown together. Comparison of the growth of pike-perch and its hybrid 5
Table 2. Growth of juvenile Sander lucioperca and hybrids of Sander lucioperca × S. volgensis (mean±SD). Grown separately Grown together Sander Sander Hybrids Hybrids lucioperca lucioperca (Group H) (Group Mh) (Group P) (Group Mp) Initial body wt (g ) 1.76±0.23 1.76±0.25 1.74±0.17 1.75±0.16 Final body wt (g) 6.54±1.19a 4.84±0.76b 6.83±1.19a 5.17±0.89b Daily weight gain (g) 0.14±0.003a 0.09±0.003b 0.15±0.09a 0.1±0.01b SGR 3.75±0.07a 2.89±0.07b 3.9±0.13a 3.1±0.13b Initial length (cm) 4.84±0.18 4.83±0.18 4.82±0.1 4.83±0.13 Final length (cm) 7.61±0.45a 6.86±0.35b 7.69±0.49a 6.97±0.43b Daily length gain (mm) 0.79±0.02a 0.58±0.02b 0.82±0.03a 0.61±0.03b Initial condition factor 1.54±0.11 1.55±0.12 1.55±0.12 1.54±0.08 Final condition factor 1.47±0.11a 1.49±0.12ab 1.49±0.09ab 1.52±0.1b FCR 0.97±0.02a 1.28±0.04b 1.03±0.06a 1.03±0.06a Means with different superscripts significantly differ at p<0.05. There were no statistical differences in intra-group variability (ANOVA).
Sander lucioperca had significantly higher weight gains (361% and 400%, for the group grown separately and that grown together) than the hybrids (267% and 283%, likewise) during the 5-week experiment. The SGR values of the S. lucioperca and the FCR of 0.97 g/g are similar to studies carried out with fish of a similar size (Hilge, 1990; Demska-Zakęś and Zakęś, 1997; Molnár et al., 2004). When both kinds of juveniles were raised separately, they became accustomed to handling and the daily routine (siphoning, cleaning the walls) in a short time, but the hybrids poorly tolerated disturbance. The hybrids in the mixed group were not as stressed as the hybrids raised separately. On the other hand, it was much easier to train the hybrids to accept artificial food than the S. lucioperca. In our case, the survival rate of the hybrids was 90- 95%, compared to training losses in S. lucioperca of 31-88% (Zakęś and Demska-Zakęś, 1996; Zakęś, 1997, 1999; Molnár et al., 2004) and survival of 100% in S. volgensis weaned to dry feed (Bercsényi et al., 2001). Thus, in intensive pike-perch production, the slower growth of the hybrids may be compensated by their more successful artificial food training. Further investigations are needed to examine quantity traits of the hybrids, compare the hybrid with S. volgensis, and investigate the possibility of back-cross hybridization.
Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Mr. Ferenc Lévai and Mr. Péter Lévai (Aranyponty Zrt.) for providing the pike-perch broodstock, Mr. Ferenc Németh and Mr. István Szabó (Balatoni Halászati Zrt.) as well as Dr. András Specziár (MTA BLKI) for providing the Volga pike-perch breeders, and Makkos & Társa Kft. for providing the pike-perch fingerlings. We also thank Dr. Ákos Horváth, who reviewed and corrected the manuscript. This work was supported by the
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Bolyai János Fellowship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Hungarian-Polish Bilateral project (PL-5/08).
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